In the midst of a global economic crisis, I am certain a lot of you were thinking all the manufacturers would lay low, right? Not so with Bentley. Meet the high-performance Azure T, fitted with the well-known 6.75 liter 500hp V-8. Bentley promises performance of 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 179mph. Pretty remarkable stuff considering the Azure T’s 5,699lb curb weight. 

Bentley touts the Azure T as the “world’s most elegant four-seat convertible”, which is fantastic because they pretend the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe doesn’t exist. Apart from the more powerful engine, Bentley has endowed the Azure T with several exterior and interior upgrades.
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Its been a while since we’ve had an update on Aaron Von Minden’s 49 Mercury. Last update, they had just started shooting the sinister looking black paint that you see above. Now that Von Minden settling in after his move to the San Fran area, thoughts are returning to getting the Merc cruise ready. Normally a man of few words, but lot’s of photos, Aaron has decided to hit the keyboard and throw out a few thoughts about his goals for the kickin old ride.

I am finally getting a bit settled at my new job and moving up to the bay area, so I decided it was time to finally get my butt back into gear working on the Merc.

I really want this car to be special, I have been working on it for a couple of years. I bought it as it had sat for over 40 years. It was one of the cleanest Mercs I had ever found. The better part about it is that I wanted a 4 door. I wanted to make a mild custom cruiser. Something me and my buddies could take out on the town. I already have some chopped hot rods and I want a custom, but I wanted it to be really classic. Something I can be driven around in. So I redid nearly every part of the car. I did not want to make a complete show car. I wanted a really beautiful driver.
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I can forgive you if you don’t feel much for a giant, heavy, old-fashioned British sedan going by the wayside. Bentley has announced that it is the end of the line for the Arnage, and is giving the car a proper send-off in the form of the Arnage Final Series-a limited run of 150 cars. Over the past few years, the Arnage has been a quaint fixture in Bentley’s offerings. A leftover from the days when Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars were more or less the same. In the epic battle between VW and BMW over Rolls and Bentley, VW kept the Bentley brand, the legendary factory at Crewe, and the Arnage. Owned by BMW, the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph was produced until 2002. 

Today, Bentley is best known for its Continental GT coupe and Flying Spur four door saloon. These cars are sometimes associated with “new money” types like NBA, soccer players and rappers, but they are remarkable automobiles nonetheless. The Arnage is Old Money all the way. In that regard, I am a little sad to see the old girl go. I doubt we will ever see a car of this size just drip with the type of British restraint and elegance we used to take for granted with these brands. 

The Arnage Final Series is powered by the classic 6.75 liter Turbo V-8, served by a 6-speed ZF transmission. You have on tap 500hp, and a positively mind-blowing 738 lb. ft. of torque (!). Pushing nearly 5,700lbs of car, the Final Series boasts 0-60 times of 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 179mph. If all that power is more than you can handle, you know Bentley will coddle you in the rear quarters. The Final Series has a rear cocktail cabinet, with a special Final Series stainless steel flask and shot glasses for your drinking pleasure. 

As a writer, I am seldom at a loss for words, but I will leave you to contemplate the above image. The nerve of all those car companies just putting lame map pockets there!

Aston Martin seems to be evolving as the luxury vehicle of choice by spies all over the world. The Aston Martin DBS will make an appearance in its second James Bond film in a row.

Hollywood suits inked a deal with Aston Martin to provide a car for Bond 22, due to be released next November.
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Adding to build upon the success of it’s Continental line, Bentley has just released information about the 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed. The Speed name dates back to the 1920’s and the famous Bentley Speed models. Boasting 600 horsepower, the all wheel drive GT Speed is the first road going Bentley to top 200 miles per hour. The big coupe accelerates from 0-60 MPH in just 4.3 seconds, topping out at a whopping 202. That’s pretty impressive considering the GT Speed weighs in at a substantial 5180 pounds.

For those who want the Bentley mystique, without the hard edge and handling that the Speed offers, Bentley will also sell you a Continental GT. The GT really is no slouch in it’s own right, with 552 bhp and a top speed of 198 mph.

More images and Bentley press release after the break
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Growing up I spent many hours digesting a series of books from the Fifties about a racer and his car. The star of the Black Tiger series was of course a Bentley Speed Six, one of the greatest race cars of all time. Those books left their mark on my psyche and the Bentley is a big part of that.

The Brooklands track was the scene of many Bentley wins and the circuit is now celebrating it’s 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Bentley is assembling some of their famed race cars along with the new Brooklands Coupe.

More photos and full press release after the break.
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Robb Report, the magazine that allows the peons to peek into the lifestyles of the rich and richer has announced the winner of their 2007 Car of the Year award. It is none other than the recently released Bentley Continental GTC. In fact the GTC has also received a special design award from an Italian mag called L’Automobile piu Bella del Mondo, which translates to The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile.

Another image and Bentley press release after the break.
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Somehow I doubt this is a real ad, but it’s pretty funny either way.
Via The Cool Hunter

Chivalry is alive and well in Nicole Kidman’s life. Some of the other bloggers are making fun of Keith Urban opening the door for new wife Kidman when she climbs into her smokin black Bentley. I think it’s nice to see a celeb spouse acting properly in public.

I bet she ties him up in the bedroom if he doesn’t!

Source TMZ via Jalopnik